Vegetable farmers attitude towards organic agriculture practices in selected states of South West Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigated attitude of vegetable farmers towards organic agriculture practices in South West Nigeria with a view to isolate determinants of their attitude. Cluster sampling technique was adopted for selecting the required sample of urban vegetable producers. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from 450 respondents. Attitude was measured as a pooled score and responses to attitudinal statements were made on a five point Likert scale. The respondents were asked to rate the statements using the 5 point Likert scale as follows: 1 strongly disagree, 2 disagree, 3 undecided, 4 agree and 5 strongly agree. The variables used in the study were used to identify factors influencing vegetable farmers' attitude towards organic agriculture practices. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviation and probit regression model. Mean was used to rate the responses of the respondents on the rating scale while probit regression model was used to identify determinants of vegetable farmers' attitude towards organic agriculture practices. The results revealed an overwhelming general positive attitude by vegetable farmers towards organic agriculture. The most prominent attitudinal statements as ranked by the farmers were that organic agriculture improves soil fertility and soil structure (4.38), organic agriculture encourages the use of indigenous knowledge (4.38). The results of the probit model revealed that farming experience (t = 0.093, p<0.01), farm size (t = 0.281, p<0.01), household size (t = 0.117, p<0.01), organization membership (t = 0.572, p<0.01) and frequency of extension contacts (t = 0.469, p<0.05) showed a significantly positive relationship with attitude to organic farming practices. Therefore, the training of extension agents should include more messages on organic agriculture techniques to the farmers.